Benchmarking
Annual benchmarking provides the means for forces to measure and therefore manage the performance and the efficiency of their estate in the most effective way. Our work is supported by an external professioinal body, who aggregate all the data, allowing a force to coimpare their own metrics against broader metrics. This is complemented by an annual strategic report, which identifies current and future trends.
Since 2016/207, NPEG has been collating data from participating forces, which is then categorised into a series of benchmarks or metrics against which performance can measured and compared across the whole. Since 2016/2017 this process has been run by The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), who provide external support and professional input, culminating in the annual production of a strategic report which is shared with all forces.
Benchmarking in policing provides a systematic process for evaluating and comparing the performance, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of property assets and facilities management practices. This structured approach enables inefficiencies to be identified, as well as areas where performance can be enhanced.
Throughout the benchmarking process, a steering group advises CIPFA on the data that is collected so that meaningful comparisons can be made. The purpose of NPEG’s benchmarking exercise is to enable forces to review the provision of estates services within their own force, identifying improvements that could be made, based on the evidence that is surfaced.
Producing this report allows forces to capture and review their own data sets. Good data is key to supporting good decision making and creates rich evidence which informs local and national strategies and best practice. The data that is collected not only allows a site-by-site comparison within an individual estate, but also enables a higher-level comparison across forces. In so doing, collaboration is enhanced as is the sharing of best practice, the sum total of which leads to better value for money and a more efficient estate. By leveraging reliable data and best practice continuous improvement is fostered in line with public expectations.